Workshop raises awareness of proactive contraception

A doctor guides women how to choose the best contraceptive method (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – A workshop
on benefits of contraception was held in Hanoi on September 26 in response to
World Contraception Day to raise public awareness of contraception and prevent
unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion.

The event was co-hosted by the Ministry
of Health’s General Office for Population and Family Planning and the Vietnam
Women’s Union with more than 300 local and foreign delegates in attendance.

The workshop updated the participants on
the family planning situation and demand for contraceptive measures in Vietnam,
the reality of abortion in the world and the country, benefits of contraception
and communication campaigns to raise public awareness of the issue.

According the office, there are about
24.2 million women of reproductive ages (aged 15 - 49) in Vietnam and the
number is on the rise. It was estimated that about 77.6 percent of them used a
birth control method last year and 66.8 percent of them used a modern measure.

Up to 250,000-300,000 abortion cases have
been officially reported across the country each year.

For every USD spent on family planning
efforts, society can save 31 USD, the deputy minister added.

In 2017, the General Office for
Population and Family Planning teamed up with the Vietnam Women’s Union to
organise a programme “La phu nu, toi chon song chu dong” (As a woman, I choose
to live an active life), including a series of seminars across 12 cities and
provinces, to provide knowledge on family planning and introduce different
methods of birth control to women. The seminars were attended by over 1,200
women.

An online contest and painting
competition are also underway to raise awareness of modern contraceptives among
teenagers and youths in an attempt to reduce abortion, unwanted pregnancies and
improve population quality.

The workshop also witnessed the launching
of a 3-year action programme on family planning for community health, aiming to
provide scientific information and updates on modern contraceptives, including
birth control pills, to people of reproductive ages.-VNA